RTS LAUNCHES NORTHERN IRELAND PROGRAMME AWARDS

Mon 13 Aug 2018

The Royal Television Society (RTS) today launched its 2018 Programme Awards for the Northern Ireland creative industries.

Once again Ka-Boom, one of Northern Ireland’s leading facilities companies is headline sponsor of RTS NI Awards and the winners will be announced at an exciting ceremony in The Mac as part of Belfast Media Festival, this November.

Kieran Doherty, Chair of RTS NI said:

“As an educational charity these awards help the RTS to raise awareness of the growing success and innovation of the creative industries in Northern Ireland. This will be our fourth Awards giving us the opportunity to highlight once again the exceptional people working in Northern Ireland.

“This year we are proud to announce that the overall Judge’s Award which recognises an outstanding, long term-contribution to the industry by an individual or company is being renamed. It will now be known as the Brian Waddell Award, in memory of one of our most influential programme makers, a true pioneer whose vision more than 30 years ago to set up one of the UK’s first independent production companies has helped to position Northern Ireland at the forefront of the production industry worldwide.”

Jannine Waddell, RTS NI Awards Committee Chair said:

“I am deeply touched that the RTS NI has chosen to honour my father’s contribution to the industry he loved with this Award. It was considered a huge risk to launch a production company away from the hub of London, not to mention in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, but he went ahead anyway recognising the incredible talent we have here.”

Zach Willis, Company Director and Co-Founder of Ka-Boom said:

“The RTS NI Awards are the most respected and sought after creative industry awards in Northern Ireland and we are delighted to be involved as headline sponsor for the second year, applauding the very best of the screen industry in Northern Ireland. Ka-Boom has grown substantially over the last few years providing high quality facilities not only to the local industry but to the growing international sector who are choosing to base their productions in Northern Ireland.”

Applications for entries to this year’s Awards are available from today (Monday 13 August) until Friday 10th September, 2018. To qualify for entry, submissions must have been aired between 7th Aug 2017 and 3rd August 2018 by individuals, broadcasters or companies based in or working in Northern Ireland. Further details can be found on https://rts.org.uk/region/northern-ireland/awards.

The RTS has partnered with BBC Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen, Channel 4 and UTV for these prestigious awards. Judging in each category will be carried out independently by an experienced internal jury with winners being announced at the special awards ceremony at The Mac, Belfast on Thursday 15th November.

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For further information email [email protected] or call Orla McGreevy on 07879 666427.